Vet Tech salary

Davenport vs Urbandale: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Davenport, IA and Urbandale, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$47,623
$22.89/hr
Urbandale, IA
$45,536
$21.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAUrbandale, IA
Median Salary$47,623$45,536
Hourly Rate$22.89$21.89
Entry Level (P10)$39,341$36,256
25th Percentile$39,890$38,305
75th Percentile$50,281$54,713
Top Earner (P90)$50,756$58,641
Total Employed12012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($47,623) and Urbandale ($45,536) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DavenportUrbandaleMedian Salary$47,623$45,536Entry Level (P10)$39,341$36,256Top Earner (P90)$50,756$58,641US Median $49,986

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Urbandale.

The salary gap between Davenport and Urbandale is $2,087 (4.58%). Davenport's median is -4.73% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $11,415,Urbandale spans $22,385. Urbandale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$39,341
P25$39,890
Median$47,623
P75$50,281
P90 (Top)$50,756
Urbandale
P10 (Entry)$36,256
P25$38,305
Median$45,536
P75$54,713
P90 (Top)$58,641

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($53,462 effective) pays 6.13% more than Urbandale ($50,372 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $47,623
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $53,462
Urbandale
Nominal: $45,536
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $50,372

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,623/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,462)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Urbandale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,641)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Davenport grew 37.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Urbandale over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+37.9%

$32,730 (2019) → $45,140 (2025)

Urbandale, IA

+38.8%

$31,094 (2024) → $43,162 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Davenport or Urbandale?

Davenport has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,623/year, compared to Urbandale at $45,536/year — a difference of $2,087 (4.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Urbandale?

Davenport veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.89/hr while Urbandale hygienists earn $21.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Urbandale as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Urbandale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $53,462, Urbandale = $50,372), job availability (120 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Davenport vs Urbandale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,341 in Davenport and $36,256 in Urbandale. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov